What is a key factor in assigning a Risk Priority Number (RPN) in FMEA?

The assignment of a Risk Priority Number (RPN) in Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) primarily focuses on evaluating the significance of failure mode effects. The RPN is calculated by considering three components: the severity of the effects of the failure, the likelihood of occurrence of the failure, and the ability to detect the failure. Among these components, the severity rating directly correlates to the significance of the effects, as it assesses how critical the outcomes of a failure mode might be on safety, performance, or customer satisfaction.

Rating the significance of failure mode effects helps prioritize which failure modes require the most attention in terms of risk mitigation efforts. A high severity rating indicates a greater potential impact of the failure, elevating its priority for corrective actions. Thus, the focus on determining how significantly a failure could affect stakeholders is essential for effectively managing risks.

Determining financial costs, estimating time requirements, and assessing employee training needs, while relevant to overall project management and risk assessment, do not directly influence the calculation of the RPN in the context of FMEA. Therefore, the emphasis on the significance of failure mode effects is crucial for establishing an accurate and actionable RPN.